CLUB EXECUTIVES

President

Dr. Valerie Thompson

President/CEO
Urban League of Greater Oklahoma City
 

In the affiliate’s 70+ year history, since 1999, Valerie has served as the second female President/CEO for the Urban League of Greater Oklahoma City. She provides strong leadership and ambition for the Urban League, working to further its mission to assist African Americans, other minorities and the poor achieve social and economic equality.

She is a passionate advocate for issues affecting the underserved by serving on local and national boards such as the Governor’s Workforce and Education Council, OKC Metropolitan Area Public Schools Trust, the MAPS 3 Seniors Health and Wellness Committee, OKC Adventure District, Potts Family Foundation, the Oklahoma Academy, OKC Quality Schools, First Tee of Metropolitan Oklahoma City, and the Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation Board.

Valerie received a Doctorate in Political Science and an MBA from the University of Oklahoma. She also has a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Oklahoma State University.  She is an adjunct professor at Oklahoma City University’s School of Social Work, and her research and professional interests remain on nonprofit strategic planning and program evaluation.

Valerie and her husband, Warren, have one daughter, Maya Rae who attends OSU.

1st Vice President

David Fitzell

SVP Director
Meridian Bank
Chief Executive Officer & President
SCR Energy, LLC
 
David R. Fitzell serves as the SVP Director of Meridian Bank (MRBK) and holds the positions of Chief Executive Officer & President at SCR Energy, LLC & related family-owned companies. With a strong background in finance, David is recognized for his leadership across multiple industries, emphasizing an economics-driven approach that balances value creation with risk management. He also contributes actively as a board member for the Oklahoma Christian University Benchmark Society, RDIV Power, and 3IV Minerals. David's commitment to community service is reflected in his 19 years serving as a Volunteer Fireman & EMT, where he served as Captain, Lieutenant, and Financial Chair for the Department.

2nd Vice President

Chris Hill

President
Sustainment Technologies, Inc.
 
Chris Hill is an entrepreneur and aerospace-defense industry executive. He served in the United States Air Force and retired from active duty as a Brigadier General having served as the Commander, Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex, Tinker AFB.
 
Chris’ industry experience includes leadership roles in multiple businesses including a small family-owned engineering, test and manufacturing firm and a prime aerospace and defense contractor. Chris now serves as President, Federal and Defense for Sustainment Technologies Inc., a data science and software start-up with the purpose of connecting small and medium-sized manufacturers across the country. Sustainment builds tools to transform and accelerate government procurement and expand America’s Defense Industrial Base. 
 
Chris also serves as a Regent for Rose State College. He and his wife Kelly have 3 adult daughters and enjoy serving their church and local community.

Treasurer

Andrea Frymire

President & CEO
Housing for Communities
 

Andrea Frymire is the President & CEO of Housing for Communities. Previously, she served as Vice President of Community Investments at Midwest Housing Equity Group (MHEG).

With over 25 years of experience in property management, commercial real estate, and affordable housing, Andrea has a rich background that includes roles as Partner at Welcome Home Management Services, L.L.C., Dobson Mortgage Corp., and Broker/Owner of Oklahoma Investment Realty, Inc. Andrea is a licensed real estate broker and instructor, holding a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from Radford University, a Master’s in Real Estate with a focus on Commercial Real Estate Investment and Analysis, and a CCIM designation. She has been instrumental in promoting awareness, advocacy, and training on housing issues for attorneys, housing providers, social workers, lending institutions, and real estate professionals impacting low to moderate-income households. Andrea is a dedicated community leader, serving as a Founder and Inaugural Board President for the Oklahoma Coalition for Affordable Housing and Housing For Communities, Inc. She has held numerous national committee positions with the National Association of REALTORS®  and other organizations related to affordable housing, commercial real estate, federal taxation and other policy related issues

Assistant Treasurer

George Simon

 
Partner
Forvis Mazars LLP
 
George Simon is a Partner with Forvis Mazars LLP in Oklahoma City. He has more than 20 years of experience providing assurance and consulting services to private and public companies as a CPA in public practice.
 
George began his career in The Bahamas and later worked in Los Angeles and Dallas before relocating to Oklahoma City in 2023. He is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and earned his B.B.A. in Accounting, with distinction, from the University of The Bahamas.
 
In addition to his professional work, George is active in the Oklahoma City community, serving on the board of directors of Cristo Rey Oklahoma City Catholic High School and on the Economic and Workforce Policy Committee of the Oklahoma State Chamber of Commerce.

Secretary

Jon Cargill

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
Hobby Lobby
 
Jon Cargill began his career at Hobby Lobby working for Greco Frame and Supply in 1991.  He was hired as controller and eventually assumed leadership of both the finance and warehouse/manufacturing operations of that company.  Jon has dual undergraduate degrees in accounting and business administration and passed the CPA exam in 1991. 
 
Jon is active in his church and is a member of the Board of Directors of the City Rescue Mission of Oklahoma City.  He is a member of the Financial Executives Council of the National Retail Federation.  His professional affiliations include the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Oklahoma Society of Certified Public Accountants, and Association of Financial Professionals. 

Director

Carol Fehrle

Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer
Quail Creek Bank

Carol Fehrle, CPA, is Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Quail Creek Bank in Oklahoma City, where she leads operations and serves as a board member. Her banking career spans nearly four decades, beginning at Brookwood National Bank and continuing through a long tenure at Quail Creek Bank, where she has held leadership roles in teller operations, accounting, data processing, internal audit, compliance, BSA, and business continuity planning.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Central State University and has completed advanced banking programs at both the BAI Graduate School of Banking and the Graduate School of Banking at Colorado. A Certified Public Accountant since 1992, she has combined formal training with extensive practical experience to build a strong reputation in banking and financial leadership.
In addition to her professional achievements, Carol has been recognized for excellence in the industry, most notably receiving the 2025 Tim Koch Award for Excellence in Banking from the Graduate School of Banking at Colorado. Her career reflects both sustained leadership and a long-standing commitment to the banking profession.
Carol is also deeply involved in civic, professional, and community organizations. Her current board activities include service with Heartline, Advantage Health Plans Trust, and the Oklahoma State Banking Board. Carol’s other activities include serving at Together We Church, member of the Economic Affairs Breakfast Club, and a graduate of Leadership Oklahoma City’s Signature program.
She has also previously contributed to organizations such as Junior Achievement, the Oklahoma Student Loan Authority, the Oklahoma Bankers Association, the Oklahoma Society of CPAs, United Way of Central Oklahoma, and Girl Scouts of Nation’s Capital. 
Carol is married to Brett and is the mother of Brandon and Anna Beth.

Director

John Gorton

President & CEO
First National Bank & Trust Co.
Chickasha, Oklahoma
 
Recognized for engaging young banking talent, John Gorton studies leadership strengths and shares trends and insights with his 160 co-owner colleagues at The First National Bank & Trust Co., a 133-year-old, independent, community bank based in Chickasha, Oklahoma. 

Gorton is President and CEO of the Bank – with locations in central and southwest Oklahoma. He also serves as President and Board Member of First Independent Bancorp Inc.

Gorton has served his career in community banks, joining The First National Bank of Tuttle in 1986, where he led its expansion to become Tri Star National Bank and named President and CEO in 1995. He also served as President of community banks in Marlow and McAlester.

Gorton is a 1984 Oklahoma State University graduate with a degree in agricultural economics. He began his banking career, during college, at the former First State Bank of Blanchard.
 
He is a 1998 graduate of the Colorado Graduate School of Banking, completed numerous banking courses and received the Certified Master Lender Award in 2005.

He has served as an officer and director in many civic groups, economic development authorities and served as a facilitator at the Calm Waters Center for Families and Children. He has served as vice chairman of the Chickasha Economic Development Council and on the board of the Grady Memorial Hospital Foundation. Gorton is a member of the Chickasha Rotary Club and the Economic Club of Oklahoma and currently serves on the board of the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence and the Advantage Health Plans Trust.

He and his wife, Debbie, have one son and daughter-in-law who reside in Edmond.

Director

Jane Jenkins

Principal
Jenkins Consulting Group
 

Jane Jenkins is the founder and principal of Jenkins Consulting Group. She is the former President and CEO of Downtown Oklahoma City Partnership. With over 30 years of experience in downtown revitalization and management, Jane is an internationally recognized speaker and expert on urban issues.

She is a member of the Rotary Club of Oklahoma City and currently serves as Director on their Board of Directors and previously served as a director on the Rotary Club 29 Foundation. She is a former Chairman for the International Downtown Association Board of Directors and is also active in the International Economic Development Council, Urban Land Institute, and the American Institute of Architects. In 2014, Jane earned accreditation from the Congress for New Urbanism and she was recently named a Senior Fellow at the Institute for Place Management in Manchester, England.

A former high school educator, Jane was named 1982 Teacher of the Year at Union High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of North Texas in Denton.  

Director

Doug Konarik

Chief Financial Officer
Lopez Dorada
 

Doug Konarik was born and raised in Oklahoma City. He graduated from Oklahoma
State University with honors in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science in Business
Administration, majoring in Accounting. Doug is a Certified Public Accountant and
member of the Oklahoma Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Doug Konarik began his career with Price Waterhouse in 1987 as an auditor, serving
clients across manufacturing, financial services, insurance, healthcare, and the 
nonprofit sector.

In 1996, he became Corporate Controller for Lopez Foods, Inc., an Oklahoma-based
food manufacturing company. He currently serves as Chief Financial Officer for Lopez Foods, Inc., Dorada Poultry LLC, and DeOro Foods LLC, overseeing the
Finance/Treasury, Accounting, and Information Technology departments.

Doug has served on the finance committees of several nonprofit organizations,
including his church, where he also serves on the building committee. He is a long-time member of the Lopez Golf Tournament Committee, which supports Ronald McDonald House Charities and the Latino Community Development Agency.

Doug and his wife, Sheri, have two children, both graduates of Oklahoma State
University, and five grandchildren. He enjoys spending time with his family, attending sporting events, and playing golf.

Director

Darlene Wallace

Owner/Operator
Columbus Oil Company
 

Darlene Wallace was born and raised in Grand Prairie, Texas. She was a Flight attendant for American Airlines. And currently CEO of Columbus Oil Company in Seminole, OK. Darlene attended the University of Texas Arlington after high school and received her Associates in Science from Seminole State College in 1995.


Marrying Dan Wallace in 1979 she moved to Seminole, Oklahoma. She was a stay at home housewife. They had  one daughter, Whitney Wallace Reitz, who married Cint Reitz of Kingfisher OK. Darlene is the grandmother of William, Finley and Eva of Oklahoma City.


Upon Dan’s early passing in 2004, Darlene chose to stay in Seminole and run Columbus Oil Company. Twenty plus years later it is a thriving business operating wells in Seminole and Pottawatomie County.


Since 2005, Darlene has been active in promoting,  preserving and protecting the American oil industry. She as a board of director member of the former Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association (OIPA) for 13 years.

She sat on the board of Domestic Energy Producers Alliance (DEPA) for 10 years. She was one of the founders Oklahoma Energy Producers Alliance (OEPA) in 2016 and is still an active board member. She was chairperson of National Stripper Well Association for two terms 2016-2020. Over the years she has lobbied in Washington DC and the Oklahoma State Capital for issues concerning the oil/gas industry.


In 2013 she was awarded the Energy Visionary Industry Achievement Award by the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs. Awarded “Member of the Year” in 2014 for OIPA. In 2019 she was inducted into the Seminole State College Alumni Hall of Fame and in 2021 given the NSWA member of the year. Over the years she has appeared on numerous television news programs promoting the small producers of Oklahoma.


She has been a member of the First United Methodist Church in Seminole since 1979 where she has been a Trustee and held numerous other committee positions. Throughout her career she has been a wife, mother, successful business leader, activist for the oil and gas industry, church leader and friend to many.

Director

Richard Wright

Partner
HoganTaylor LLP
 
Since joining the firm in 1992, Richard has provided a broad range of assurance and consulting services to clients in a variety of industries, including financial services, nonprofit, professional services, and manufacturing and distribution.
 
Richard’s primary focus is the financial services industry as a member of the firm’s Financial Institution’s practice group, providing assurance services to local and regional community banks and credit unions. During his career, Richard has consulted with institutions on accounting and regulatory matters, mergers and acquisitions, internal control frameworks, and fraud and forensic investigations.
 
As a member of the firm’s Nonprofit Practice Group, Richard has served foundations, colleges and universities, museums, community service​, and health and welfare organizations. In addition to assurance services, Richard advised clients on accounting, corporate governance, internal controls and fraud, and mergers and acquisitions.
 
During his tenure with HT, Richard has held numerous leadership roles, including Oklahoma City office managing partner, a member of the firm’s board of directors, lead assurance partner in the Oklahoma City office, and leader of the financial institutions practice group.
 
Richard’s volunteer experience includes numerous professional, charitable and civic organizations, including:
  • American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
  • Oklahoma Society of Certified Public Accountants
  • Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce Advisory Board
  • Oklahoma Business Roundtable
  • Economics Club of Oklahoma City
  • University of Central Oklahoma Accounting Department Advisory Board 
Richard is a Certified Public Accountant, received his B.S in Accounting from the University of Central Oklahoma and a Master of Business Administration from Oklahoma City University.​

Immediate Past President

Rusty LaForge

EVP, General Counsel
Stride Bank, N.A.

 

Rusty serves as EVP and General Counsel for Stride Bank, N.A., based in Oklahoma. Rusty has helped lead Stride Bank’s tremendous growth in recent years, including highly specialized payment solutions for innovative technology companies throughout the country including Lyft, Doordash, and Chime, among others.

Rusty’s prior experience includes having served as EVP and General Counsel for Southwest Bancorp, Inc. (ticker: OKSB) (parent of the former Stillwater National Bank), where he also served as Director of Investor Relations. Before OKSB, Rusty served as Director of Investor Relations for Guaranty Financial Group, Inc. (ticker: GFG) headquartered in Texas.

Rusty began his law practice as an associate with the law firm Bracewell in Texas, and after returning to Oklahoma served as a Shareholder at the law firm McAfee & Taft. Prior to law school, Rusty served as Director of Finance for the Office of Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating.

Rusty is actively involved in civic and leadership activities including currently serving on the Planning Commission for the City of Oklahoma City, as well as the Board of the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits. He previously served on the Boards of the OKC Public Schools Foundation, the Urban League of Greater OKC, the Girls Scouts of Western Oklahoma, and the Board of Governors of the OSU Foundation. He also
previously served on the MAPS 3 Citizens Advisory Board representing Oklahoma City’s Ward 8.

Rusty has a B.S. degree in accounting from OSU, and his law degree from OU. A native of Chickasha, Rusty has been married to Mandy, also an OSU graduate, for over 25 years, and they have two daughters.

 

Corporate Secretary Emeritus

Carlos E. Johnson, Ed.D., CPA

Independent Consultant

 

With 60 years of experience in the financial services industry, Carlos operated as a management consultant for BKD CPAs & Advisors as a resource to the Oklahoma partners, management team and staff for over 8 years.

Carlos serves on both local and national boards including, the Oklahoma Board of Accountancy, the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy, the Academic Experience, Oklahoma Society of CPAs and the American Institute of CPAs. He donates his time to community and civic affiliations such as Oklahoma State University, the Oklahoma Zoological Society, the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits and CASA.

He holds a Master of Science and Doctorate (Ed.D.) from Oklahoma State University and is a graduate of Leadership Oklahoma (Class IX). He was recognized as a member of the “100 for 100 Years” outstanding graduates and named to the 2015 Hall of Fame by the Spears School of Business at Oklahoma State University.

Young Professional Advisory Director

Perrin Duncan

Program Officer
Arnall Family Foundation
 
Perrin Clore Duncan joined the Arnall Family Foundation in 2022, and she primarily focuses on criminal justice reform and economic mobility in her role as a Program Officer. Perrin graduated Cum Laude from DePauw University in 2017, majoring in Economics and Studio Art and minoring in Spanish. She served as a member of DePauw’s Board of Trustees for three years post-graduation. Perrin completed her Master of Fine Arts from the Burren College of Art in County Clare, Ireland in 2019, and has exhibited her artwork in galleries and publications nationally and internationally. 
 
She began her career managing Marketing and Communications for JUMP! Foundation, a non-profit social enterprise based in Bangkok, Thailand. Upon her return to Oklahoma in 2020, she worked at the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber where she led the United Way campaign and earned the Employee Campaign Coordinator Rookie-of-the-Year award for the fundraiser’s success. 
 
Perrin is an avid cyclist, runner, and outdoor enthusiast. She is an ambassador for Newton Running and The Feed. She has completed the 500-mile-long Colorado Trail, 96-mile Lone Star Hiking Trail, and extended sections of the Pacific Crest Trail, Ozark Highlands Trail, and Annapurna Base Camp Circuit. She’s proudly certified as a Wilderness First Responder and always on the lookout for the next big adventure.
 
Perrin is currently a member of VEST,  the Economic Club of Oklahoma, and the 2025 MEND Peacemaker Cohort. She serves on the Alumni Board of Leadership Oklahoma City as a representative of LOYAL Class XVII and the Downtown Club of Oklahoma City Board. She was a member of the United States Global Leadership Coalition’s Next Gen Global Leaders Network Class of 2024. She has been recognized by the OKC Friday as one of OKC’s Most Powerful Young Professionals, was a NextGen Under 30 awardee in 2022, featured in Hundred Magazine’s Wildly Capable Women Issue 02 in 2022, honored at the Oklahoma Hospitality Club’s Ladies in the News Luncheon in 2023 and was an honoree of the 2024 Greater Panhellenic Women of the Year luncheon. 
 
At the core of her identity, Perrin has a deep commitment to community, her family, and to being an empathetic and compassionate friend. She is passionate about pursuing a life of purpose and deeply believes in the importance of education and equity for all.  

PAST PRESIDENTS

1955 Hardin W. Masters

1956 Howard J. Bozarth

1957 Richard W. Camp

1958 Charles B. Stewart

1959 Grady D. Harris, Jr.

1960 Mather M. Eakes

1961 William M. Murray

1962 M.G. McCool

1963 John Kilpatrick, Jr.

1964 George H.C. Green, Jr.

1965 W.F. Pralle

1966 Herbert L. Branan

1967 John H. Miller

1968 A. Francis Porta

1969 Louis F. Danforth

1970 Monte H. Goldman

1971 Thomas W. Utterback

1972 C.B. Cameron

1973 Alex P. Aven

1974 John W. Nichols

1975 Edgar R. Oppenheim

1976 John M. Mee

1977 John N. Booth

1978 James V. Baker, Jr.

1979 Gordon D. Williams

1980 Dan Hogan, III

1981 Sidney P. Upsher

1982 C. Randolph Everest

1983 Leo M. Rodgers, Jr.

1984 Edward H. Cook

1985 Leslie L. Ming

1986 James Harlow, Jr.

1987 William B. Cleary

1988 J. Larry Nichols

1989 Bob Anthony

1990 Frank McPherson

1991 Wayne Von Feldt

1992 Bill Swisher

1993 Harrison Levy, Jr.

1994 George J. Records

1995 John Linehan

1996 Ray Potts

1997 James R. Daniel

1998 Patrick J. Ryan

1999 Rocky L. Duckworth

2000 Douglas R. Cummings

2001 Luke R. Corbett

2002 Kenneth K. Mcllhaney

2003 Joseph M. Fleckinger

2004 John P. McMillin

2005 Paul Odom, III

2006 Carlos E. Johnson

2007 Duke Ligon

2008 Tom Legan

2009 Nancy Anthony

2010 Steven Agee

2011 Lt. General Richard Burpee

2012 Patrick Rooney

2013 Lee Symcox

2014 William Shdeed

2015 Jacque Fiegel

2016 Tony Shinn

2017 Doug Stussi

2018 James Couch

2019 Nicholas Harroz, III

2020 Robert H. Clements

2021 Rhonda Hooper

2022 Tip Burch

2023 Chad Wilkerson

2024 Cathy Williams

2025 Rusty LaForge